Congress leader Shama Mohamed, who recently criticized Indian captain Rohit Sharma for his fitness, has come in support of pacer Mohammed Shami, who has chosen not to keep ‘Roza’ (fast) for the Champions Trophy. Shami, the 34-year-old player busy preparing for the semi-final competition with Australia, was caught using an energy drink during the ongoing holy month of Ramzan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. After this, Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilvi, President of All India Muslim Jamaat, stirred the controversy by calling Shami “criminal” for not keeping “roza” in Ramzan.
“There is a very important thing in Islam during Ramzan. In fact, if we are travelling, we don’t have to fast during Ramzan. Mohammed Shami is travelling and he’s not at home; therefore, he’s playing a sport where it can make him really thirsty. There is no argument that says one must fast when playing any sport…It is your deeds which are very important. It is a very scientific religion,” Shama told ANI.
On the other end, Maulana Bareilvi clarified that “By not performing this Roza, he has done a crime. He should not act like that. In the eyes of Shariat, he is a criminal. He will have to answer in front of God.”
The leader further stated that ‘Roza’ is one of the duties compulsory and anyone who does not perform it is a criminal. “One of the compulsory duties is ‘Roza’ (fasting)…If any healthy man or woman doesn’t observe ‘Roza’, they will be a big criminal. A famous cricket personality of India, Mohammed Shami had water or some other beverage during a match.” Maulana Bareilvi said.
“People are watching him. If a man is playing, then he is fit. Under such a condition, he is not keeping ‘Roza’ and has taken water as well. This is the wrong message amongst people,” he said.
